The rates of production of volatile fatty acids in the rumen

Abstract

The rates of production of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids in the normal rumen of a sheep have been measured from the decline in specific activity of these acids in the rumen after introduction of their sodium salts, labelled with ¹⁴C. Polyethylene glycol was introduced into the rumen to permit measurement of the rumen volume. The rates of production were: acetic acid 99 m-moles/hr, propionic 44 m-moles/hr, and butyric 21 m-moles/hr.